Compact Pushbutton Component with Spring-Loaded Locking Slides
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing pushbutton components for safety applications, such as emergency stop devices, face challenges in ensuring a secure mechanical connection between the actuator and switching elements, which is critical for maintaining the safety circuit and preventing accidental reactivation during emergencies, due to inadequate assembly or mechanical separation under force.
Innovation Solution
A compact pushbutton component design featuring a mushroom actuating head with guide projections and a sleeve containing spring-loaded locking slides, allowing for a fixed assembly that can be checked and further processed as a unit, ensuring secure locking and unlocking with distributed forces across two parallel slides for enhanced stability and reliability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If individual functional components are fed in and assembled separately, then assembly flexibility is maintained, but assembly time increases and functional safety cannot be ensured
Solution Approach 1:
The actuator and switching element are merged into a single pre-assembled functional unit with integrated locking mechanism. This compact component combines multiple functions (actuation, switching, locking) into one unit that is fed in as a single piece, eliminating the need for separate assembly steps while ensuring functional safety through captive securing of all components.
2Ease of manufacture
If the actuator and switching element are mechanically fastened with screws or snap hooks, then assembly is straightforward, but mechanical separation can occur under force
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism is segmented into distinct components (locking element, guide projection, recess) that work together through controlled geometric interaction. The locking element features a guide projection that fits into a corresponding recess in the switching element, creating a positive mechanical lock that prevents separation while maintaining assembly simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The guide projection and recess act as intermediary geometric features that mediate the connection between the actuator and switching element. These intermediary elements provide the mechanical interlocking function, preventing direct force transmission that could cause separation while maintaining ease of assembly.
3Reliability
If locking mechanism components are pre-assembled, then functional safety can be ensured, but assembly complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The locking mechanism components are merged into a single integrated actuator unit during manufacturing. This pre-assembled compact component contains all locking elements, springs, and guide features as one unit, which is then fed through the control panel as a single piece, reducing on-site assembly complexity to a simple insertion and fastening operation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This design significantly reduces assembly time and increases production flexibility, enabling automated and quantity-optimized start-up, while ensuring the safety circuit remains secure against accidental reactivation, even under high actuation forces, by providing double safety through parallel slides and independent springs.
Implementation Method 1
a spring element (6), which is mounted in the base body (9) and there in the sleeve (11)
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2
AI summary
The pushbutton compact component has actuating button (2) having a basic structure (9) on which guide projection (10) is arranged, and a sleeve (11) in which a locking slide (12) is arranged by spring element (13). The guide projection engages with the locking slide such that the locking slide is positioned in the sleeve under spring pressure.